Claire Piurkowski

Claire Curtiss Piurkowski, was born on November 26, 1949 in Enfield, CT and passed away at the age of 76 on August 6, 2026 in Haven, KS.

Claire was outgoing and made friends easily.  She lived in Connecticut, Arizona, and eventually landed in Kansas.  She kept the friends that she made along the way, staying in close contact via cards in the mail and frequent phone calls.  Once she knew your birthday, she never forgot it!  She was attended in her passing by a dear friend and old neighbor, Jeff Triphan.

She was kind and generous and would help out anyone that needed assistance.

She loved pugs!  She raised over 30 pugs in her lifetime and collected all items pug-related from pajamas and sheets, to wall hangings, calendars, and knick knacks.  Just like her many friends she met in her lifetime, she didn’t meet a dog, that she didn’t immediately embrace!

She loved to do her own shopping, and most often stocked up on cookies and candies that she shared with other residents in her assisted living facility.

She was funny and quick witted, often sharing a funny story and a laugh.  She insisted that she be buried with a headstone saying “We aren’t here for a long time.  We are here for a good time.”

Claire worked at Kaman Aerospace for many years.  She later became a Veterinary Tech and assisted with surgeries – a role she was most proud of, allowing her to care for her little four-footed friends!

Claire is survived by her sister, Gail (Curtiss) Grimaldi and her brother-in-laws, James Grimaldi and Steve Criswell;  her half-sister, Maureen Curtiss; and her grandchildren, Jordan and Naomi; many nieces and nephews, as well as grand nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her first husband, Robert “Ronnie” Letellier.

Claire was predeceased by her husband, Brian Piurkowski; her daughter, Jennifer (Letellier) Cardiff; her sister Nancy (Curtiss) Criswell; her brother, Jeffrey Curtiss; and her parents, Walter H. Curtiss and Helen (Kamay) Curtiss.

She will be interred at the Old Hazardville Cemetery, alongside her father, Walter, and her grandparents, Harold & Ethel.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Beauties and Beasts located at 136 S. Pattie St., Wichita, KS 67211, an eleventh hour rescue for dogs and cats, advocating for and saving animals at risk of euthanasia at Wichita’s local shelters.  Beauties and Beasts are entirely run by volunteers and donations.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuaries — East Wichita.